A Literature Review on Potentiality of Some Egyptian Halophytes in Wastewater Treatment in Constructed Wetland

Document Type : Original Article

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Desert Research Center

Abstract

The physical effects brought about by the presence of wetland plants are the most important aspects of their role in water purification. Through a wide variety of physiological or biochemical mechanisms, helophytic plants significantly aid in ecosystem remediation. In this study, the role of ten halophytes that dominated or are common in Egypt in wastewater treatment is evaluated. These plants are; Phragmites australis, Typha domingensis, Cyperus papyrus, Cyperus rotundus, Scirpus littoralis, Scirpus maritimus, Juncus acutus, Juncus maritimus, Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata. The potential of each species to accumulate and absorb specific heavy metals is investigated. This study concluded that the plants that have high biomass e.g. Phragmites australis, Cyperus Spp., Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata are more effective in wastewater treatment. Additionally, mixed vegetation acted to remove pollutants more effectively than single-species ones. If treated wastewater should be reused water losses have to be avoided. This can be achieved by i) Selection of more efficient plants to minimize evapotranspiration losses, and ii) Smaller footprints of the treatment system to avoid evaporation.

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